Motor-starter



l. J. MAHA.

MOTOR STARTER.

APPLICATION msu 1AN.4., 191:9'.

1,389,522. 1 Patented Aug. 30, 1921;

2 SHEETS-SHEET \.v

l. 1. MAHA.

MOTOR STARTER.

APPLxcAIloN FILED 1AN.4, 1919.

1,389,522, Patentedmlg. 30,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' ressens.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRVIN J. IVIAHA, OF SLEEPY EYE, MINNESOTA.

Moron-STARTER.

Specification cf Letters Patent. Patented Allg. 30, 1921.

`Application led January 4, 1919.l Serial No. 269,613.V

To all w from t may concern U Be it known that l, lnviN J. Mai-IA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sleepyl Eye, in the county of Brown and State of Minnesota, havel inventedv new and useful Improvements in ldotor-Starters, of which the following is a specification.

rlliis invention relates to motor starters, and particularly to a spring starter for automobile, tractor and similaimotors, the object of the invention being to provide simple, reliable and eflective means for starting the motor from the spring andv rewinding the spring from the power of the motor itself, the starter mechanism including devices for connecting the motor rshaft with oppositeV ends of a VVcoiled starting spring the described functions.

, The invention consists of the features of to perform construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter'fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accom-V panying drawings, in Awhich E- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the starter mechanism, showing also the adjacentend of the motor shaft. y

Fig.` 2 is a sectional plan view thereof.

Fig. 3Yis a vertical transverse section taken substantially online 3 3 of Fig. 1. H'

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on line 44 of F ig. 1. n

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a modified form of driving means between the motor and starting shafts.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the motor shaft and 2 a starter shaft separate from but arranged in axial alinement with the motor shaft. The shaft 2 is journaled .in suitable bearing members 3 .and 3 upon U-shaped frame structure 4, rand has its inner end arranged in proximity to the outer end of the motorL shaft 1. ln practice, the frame 4 may be a part of the frame of the vehicle or a separate frame for supporting the starter mechanism, which separate frame may be fastened to the vehicle frame or chassis in any preferred manner. As shown, a clutch device is provided for connecting and disconnecting the shafts 1 and V2, said clutch comprising a tapered friction clutch disk 5 fixed to the shaft 1 and adapted tov be engaged by a similar clutch disk 6 featheredV to slide upon and rotate with the shaft 2. .The clutch member 6 has an annula-rly grooved hub 7 .which fits within a collar 8 upon an adjusting lever 9 pivot-ed at one end to the frame 4, said collar beingl pins 10 engaging j is adjustable longitudinallylof said shaftk through diverse swinging movements of said lever; A rod 11 connectedwith the other end of the lever 9 is provided for connection with a suitable control device on the vehicle, whereby the clutch member 6 may be vretracted against the resistance of a spring Tf1 and adjusted for engagement with the clutch member 5, in which action the spring will assist in advancing the clutch member 6 in an obvious manner.v In the present instance I have vshown the starting mechanism arranged to transmit motion to the motor shaft in La counter-clockwise direction, but it is to be understood that, dependent upon circumstances or conditions, the starting mechanismmay be arranged to transmit motion to the motor shaft in either a clock-wise or a countersclockwise direction.

The starter comprises a spring starting motor, of the coiled or spiral spring type, the coiled motor spring 12Y being arranged within an inclosing drum or casing comprising` a pair of spaced disks 13 and 14 and an annular wall 15 carried by one of the disks, in theV present instance the disk 13. The wall 15 projects from the peripheral edge of the disk 13 toward and surrounds the peripheral edge of the disk 14, thus forming with said disks an inclosing casing to-.shield and protect the spring from dust, dirt and the liability of injury.

The disks 13 and 14 are provided with in* wardly projecting hubs116 and 17, which are tted to turn. loosely on the shaft 2 and are held in accurate alineinent by an inclos ing sleeve 18and from relative outward movement by collars 19 secured by set screws or other similar means to the shaft-'2. The sleeve 18 is fixed, as by suitable fastening spect to the hub of the disk 13;y To the sleeve 18, and consequently to the hub of the disk 14, is secured, as indicated at 21, theV inner end of the coiled spring 12, the outerV end of which is suitably fastened to the inner periphery of the wall 15, las indicated at 22, and hence through said wall to the j' disk 13.

The disk 13 is employed for transmitting motion from the spring to the shaft 1 for the purpose of starting the motor, while the disk 14 is employed for transmitting motion from the motor shaft 1 through the shaft 2 for the purpose of rewinding the spring. Formed upon the outer side of the disk 13 is a friction clutch member 23, adapted to be engaged by an adjustable friction clutch member 24, and formed upon the outer face of the disk 14 is a fric-tion clutch member 25 adapted to be engaged by an adjustable clutch member 26. The two clutch members 24 and 26 are normally out of engagement with their Acompanion clutch members 23 and 25, and each of said clutch members 24 and 26 is provided with a hub 27 feathered to slide upon and rotate with the shaft and have a suitable shifting engagement with a collar 28 upon a shifting lever 29, whereby through reverse movements of the lever 29 the adjustable clutch member connected therewith may be shifted into and out of eligagement with its companion clutch/member upon the drum disk. The levers 29 are piv-y oted at one end `to `one side of the frame 4 and are connected at their opposite or free ends for movement in unison by and with a shifter bar 30, the construction being such that longitudinal movement of the shifter bar in opposite directions from `a neutral position will throw one of the adjustable clutch members into action and the other out of action, or vice versa. The shifter bar is coupled to a rod 31 leading to a suitable control device (not shown) on the vehicle, whereby rsaid rod may be operated. kThe lever 29 associated with the clutch member 24 is adapted to retractsaid clutch member against the resistance` of a spring 27, which assists in moving said clutch member into engagement with the clutch member 23.

lt will be evident from the foregoing description that the starter shaft 2 may be coupled to the motor shaft 1 for the purpose of either starting the motor from the spring or rewinding the spring from the motor by shifting the clutch member 6 into engagement with the clutch member 5, and that said shaft 2 may be disconnected thereafter from the shaft 1 by retraction of the clutch member 6. assuming the spring` 12 to be wound and in readiness for action, a shifting movement lof the clutch member 24 into engagement with the clutch member will couple the motor spring to the shafts 1 and 2 for a driving action through an uncoiling motion of the spring, whereby the shaft 1 may be driven for starting the motor. It will be further understood that by coupling the shafts 1 and 2 and throwin the clutch member 26 into engagement with the clutch member 25, motion may be transmitted from the shaft 1 to the shaft 2 to effect the rewinding of the spring 12 in an obvious manner.

Also it will be understood that.,

In order to permit rotation of the disk 14 in the proper direction to wind the spring 12, while holding said disk from retrograde motion, a suitable pawl and ratchet mechanism is provided consisting of ratchet teeth 32 upon the outer side of the clutch member 25 engaged by a spring actuated dog or pawl 33 on the frame 4, the construction being such that the dog will permit the disk to have rewinding motion, in which action the dog slides over the inclined faces of the ratchet teeth, the dog engaging the shoulders of the teeth to lock the'disk against' reverse motion. Also in order to hold the disk 13 from rotation under the action of the spring, until it is desired to utilize the power of the spring for a motor starting action, a brakey device is provided for engaging and releasing said disk. This brake device comprises a friction brake band 34 fixed at one end to the frame 4, as at 35, and connected at its opposite end on the inner arm 36 of a bell crank levery 37 pivotally mounted on the frame 4, the opposite arm 38 of which lever carries a cam roller 39. The brake strap 34 surrounds and engages the wall 15, which thus'serves as a friction brake surface, the strap when tightened holding the `disk 13 from rotation while the spring Yis being wound and until its motor starting action is desired, the release of the brake band permitting the springt@ unwind and transmit rotary motion to the disk 13.

For the purpose of normally maintaining the friction band in engagement with the surface 15 at all times in the neutral position of the parts shown in Fig. 2, and during the adjustments of the rewinding clutch member 26, while effecting an automatic release and tightening of the brake band in the in and out adjustments of the clutch device 24, the bar 30 is suitably constructed tocontrol the bell crank lever 37 for brake tightening and releasing actions. To this end, the bar is provided with'plane surfaces 40 and 41 arranged at di fferent elevations and connected by an intervening inclined or cam vsurface 42, upon which surfaces the roller 39 is adapted to ride. The roller 39 normally enthe surface 40, with which it is in contact when the parts are in the neutral position shown in Fig. 2 and also in the adjustment of the clutch member 26 into position forvthe rewinding action, whereby the bell crank lever 37 is held in brake band applying position. lVhen, however, the bar 30 is shifted forwardly to the degree necessary to move th clutch member 24 into engagement with the clutch member 23 the roller 39 travels down the inclined surface 42 and engages the surface 41, thus allowing the bell crank ever to be depressed by the action of av spring 453 to release the brake band, thus permitting the ldisk 13 to be driven by the unwlnding action of the vspring 12 to transmit 1 ,esatta motion to the shaft 2 for a motor starting action. e

In Fig. of the drawing I have shown a modification in the driving connection between the motor shaft la and starter shaft 2L which may be employed when it is necessary to dispose these two shafts at a right angle or other angles to each other, as is necessary in the application of the invention to some forms of tractors or trucks. As herein shown, a gear 5a, feathered to slide upon and rotate with the shaftl, is provided in lieu of the disk 5, and this gear meshes with a gear 6a on the shaft 2a, the gear 5fL being adapted for coperation with a shifting device to throw it into and out of engaging relation. The shaft 2a as shown is composed of sections united by a universal or other similar joint 6b, thus allowing the gears to mesh while the shafts operate at different working angles as will be readily understood.

As shown, the springs 7a and 27a are arranged to bear against collars 7* and 27b fixed to the shaft 2 on opposite sides` of the bearing 3, and said springs alsobear against the sleeves 7 and 27 of the respective clutch members 6 an'd24t. Thus it will be understood that these springs. are normally heldk under tension when the clutch members are retracted and upon the release of said clutch members act positively to move the adjustable clutch members into clutching engagement with the coacting clutch members 5 and Thesprings are of advantage in maintaining the clutch elements in engaging relation without the necessity of exerting objectionable pressure on the clutch collars, and the use of the spring 2', in addition, is advantageous in that, by holding the clutch member 24 in positive engagement with the clutch member 23, thehnecessity of a bearing motion for this purpose from the collar 28 to the collar 27 is avoided, thus doing away with a large amount of friction and resistance to the action of the spring l2 in a motor starting operation.

l.While I have specified the use of friction clutches, it is to be understood that any equivalent type of clutches may be employed in lieu thereof. i A

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim Y n l. In a device of the class described, an engine shaft, a starter shaft, a clutch mechanism. between said shafts, a two-part motor casing the parts thereof being mounted for independent rotation on said starter shaft and with respect one part to the other, a coiled power -spring within said motor casing and connecting the parts thereof, a clutch mechanism cooperative with each part of said motor casing and said starter shaft, interconnected means for simultaneously actuating said last mentioned clutch mechanisms for the alternate connecting and disconnecting of the partsof said motor casing to and from said starter shaft, a pawland ratchet mechanism for holding-one of the parts of said motor casing against retrograde 'movement during the rewinding of said coiled power spring, and a brake band encircling the other of said parts of said motor casing for holding the part against rotation during the rewinding of said coiled power spring and reieasing the said part for the uncoiling of said power spring, said brake band being actuated by said interconnected means simultaneously with the actuation of said last mentioned clutch mechanisms.

2. In a device of the class described, an engine shaft, a starter shaft, a clutch mechanism between said shafts, a two-part motor casing the parts thereof being mounted for independent rotation on said starter shaft and with respect one part to the other, a coiled power spring within said motor casing and connecting the parts thereof, a clutch mechanism cooperative with each part of said motor casing and said a pawl and ratchet mechanism for holding oneof the parts of said motor casing against .etrogade movement during the rewinding of said `coiled power spring, a brake band encircling the other of said parts of said motor casing for holding thev part against rotation during the rewinding of said coiled power spring and releasing the said part for the uncoiling of said power spring, levers for actuating said last mentioned clutch mechanisms, a bar connecting said levers and operable for alternately connecting and disconnecting the parts of said motor casing to said starter shaft through said clutch mechanisms, and means actuated by said bar for the operation of said brake band.

3. In a device of the class described, an engine shaft, a starter shaft, a clutch mechanism between saidshafts, a two-part motor casing'the' parts 'thereof being mounted for independent rotation on said starter shaft and with respect one part to the other, a coiled power spring within said motor casing and connecting the parts thereof, a clutch mechanism cooperative with each part of said motor casing and lsaid starter shaft,

a pawl and ratchet mechanism for holding one of the parts of said motor casing against retrograde movement during the rewinding ofsaid coiled power spring, a brake band encircling the other of said parts of said motor casing for holding` the part against rotation during the rewinding of said coiled power spring and releasing the said part for the uncoiling of said power spring, levers for actuating said last mentioned clutch mechanisms, a bar connecting said levers and operable for alternately connecting and disconnecting the parts of said motor casing to said starter shaft through said clutch starter shaft, ff

said clutch mechanisms,

mechanisms, and a bell-crank lever connected to one end of said brake band, said bellrranlz lever being actuated by said bar for the operation of said brake band simultaneously and correspondingly with the operation of said last mentioned clutch mechanisms.

4r. ln eevice of the class described, an engine shaft, a starter shaft, a clutch mechanism between said shafts, a two-part motor casino', the parts thereof being mounted for independent rotation on said starter shaft ein with respect one part to the other, a ,ed power spring within said motor casand connecting` the parts thereof, a

mechanism cooperative with each "t of said motor casing and said starter a pawl and ratchet mechanism for one of the parts of said motor cas- Y LAnst retrograde movement during the Lriding,l of said coiled power spring, a brake band encircling the other of said parts said motor casing for holding the part agai st rotation dering` the rewinding of said coiled power spring and releasingthe said part for the uncoiling of said power sprintf, levers for actuating said lastanentioned clutch mechanisms, a bar connecting said levers and operable for alternately connecting: and disconnecting the parts of said motor casing` to said starter shaft through acam surface formed with said bar, and a bell-crank lever connected toene end of said brake band, said bell-crank lever being actuated by the am surface of said bar for the operation of ike band simultaneously and corresaid o spondingly with the operation of said last mentioned clutch mechanisms.

5. ln a device of the class described, an engine shaft, a starter shaft, a clutch mechanism between said shafts, a two-part motor casing, the parts thereof being` mounted for independent rotation on said starter shaft and with respect one part to the other, a coiled power spring within said motor casinl and connecting` the parts thereof, a clutch mechanism cooperative with each part of said motor casing; and said starter shaft, a pawl and ratchet mechanism for holding;l one of the parts of said motor cas- 'v i ainst retrograde movement during` the reaviiniling` of said coiled power spring, a brake band encirclinp` the other of said parts of said motor casing for holding` the Ypart against rotation during the rewinding ofA motor casing to said starter shaft throughV said clutch mechanisms, a bell-crank lever connected to one end of said brake band, and a roller journaled in the free end of said hell-crank lever d bearing on the cam suritt actuated by said bar for the operationof said bralre band simultaneously and correspondingly with the operation of said last mentioned clutch mechanisms.

6. in a device of the class described, an engine shaft, a starter shaft, a clutch mechanisin between said shafts, a two-part motor casing, the parts thereof being` mounted for independent rotation -on said starter shaft and with respect one part'to the other, a coiled power spring within said motor casino' and connecting the parts thereof, a clutch mechanism cooperative with each part of saidmotor casingand said starter shaft', a pawl and ratchet mechanism for holding one of the parts of said motor casing vagainst retrograde movement during the rewindingof said coiled power spring, a bralre band encirclingv the other of said parts of said motor casingl for holding the part against rotation` during the rewinding of said coiled power spring,` and releasing the said part for the un-V ceiling` of said power spring, levers for actuating,` said last mentioned clutch mechanisms, a bar connecting said lever and operable for alternately connecting and *disconnecting the parts of said motor casing` to said starter shaft through said clutch mechanisms, said bar having one of its faces formed to provide plane surfaces one of a greater height than the other and interconnected by an in` clined surface at a point intermediate the opposite ends of the same, a bell-crank lever connected to one end of said brake band, and a roller journaled on the free end of said bell-crank lever and bearing` on the plane surfaces of said bar, said bell-crank lever being` actuated by said bar for the operation of said brake band simultaneously and correspondingly with the operation of said last mentioned clutch mechanisms.

n testimony whereof aiiix my signature.

navnv J. Mana.

ce of said bar, said bell-crank lever being' 

